Stalybridge Celtic: 1Hednesford Town: 0

Stalybridge Celtic: 1Hednesford Town: 0

Celtic fielded two debutants and two players returning after absences, providing too much for Hednesford, though it took over an hour and a few scares before Celtic secured the points.

It was end to end in the first half, with Andrew Scott’s skill and speed getting him space for an early shot, but his dipping shot cleared the bar, whilst trapping a cross from Scott Bakkor on his chest he tried the overhead kick, straight at Mate Deczki in Hednesford’s goal. Matt Dodd was the dangerman for Hednesford, his early shot taking a deflection of debutant Douglas Nyaupembe, taking the ball over returning keeper Paddy Wharton. The crossbar came to Celtic’s rescue, whilst Wharton came to the rescue with his feet to deny Dodd moments later. Reece King’s effort after a corner was only partially cleared was well stopped by Wharton. At the other end, Greg Wilkinson tried a distance effort straight at Deczki, whilst Deczki was at full stretch for Scott’s low drive after skipping past the defence, but Scott’s shot was narrowly wide. Jed Davies got onto an uncleared Hednesford corner, forcing Wharton into an athletic stop.

Michael Howard started the second half at full speed, causing the Hednesford defence problems, he managed to dig out the ball in the corner, lifting his cross to the near post where Bakkor arrived to meet it, diverting past Deczki.

Celtic took control of the match after this with Hednesford looking increasingly desperate, the closest they came was a comfortable header from Charlie Gatter straight at Wharton and Celtic

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